Events

MBG Focus Talk: Priyanka Priyadarshini

Viktor Hauge Ladegaard — Wed, 13 May 2026 10:00:00 +0200

Recruitment of the MRX Complex to Recombination Sites during Meiosis

The Mre11 nuclease is part of the highly conserved MRX complex involved in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). During yeast meiosis, MRX is also required for the programmed induction of DSBs by Spo11, thereby initiating meiotic DNA recombination to promote the accurate segregation of homologous chromosomes. The recruitment of Mre11 during meiosis depends on Rec114-Mei4 and Mer2 (RMM), which are thought to organize the meiotic DSB machinery by a mechanism of biomolecular condensation. Here, we investigated the role of Mre11 during meiosis and its relationship to RMM condensation. We show that, like RMM, Mre11 and MRX complexes form DNA-dependent, hexanediol-sensitive, condensates in vitro. In vivo, Mre11 forms DNA damage-dependent foci in vegetative cells and DSB-independent foci in meiotic cells. In vitro condensates and in vivo foci both depend on the C-terminal intrinsically-disordered region (IDR) of Mre11. However, the IDR is dispensable for vegetative DNA repair, but essential during meiosis. The C-terminal end of Mre11 forms a short alpha-helix that binds a conserved sequence of Mer2, and mutating residues within this interface reduces Mre11 foci and DSB formation. Finally, we identified a SUMO-interacting motif within the Mre11 IDR that promotes the recruitment of Mre11 during meiosis and facilitates DSB formation. Our results provide new insights into the biophysical properties of Mre11 and its unique role in initiating meiotic DNA recombination.

Priyadarshini P., et al. "Recruitment of Mre11 to recombination sites during meiosis" Nature Communications, in press (2026).
doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-71310-

DANDRITE/Kjeldgaard Lectures: Timothy Ryan

Viktor Hauge Ladegaard — Wed, 13 May 2026 13:15:00 +0200

Wednesday 13 May 2026 @ 13:15 14:00
Followed by PhD-session at 14:30-15:00
(Coffee and cake will be served between lecture and PhD-session)
1871-120 (Nucleus)
Hosted by: Chao Sun

Metabolic Vulnerabilities and Opportunities in Brain Function

Our brains are metabolically vulnerable, as even brief interruptions in proper fueling lead to rapid degradation in cognitive performance. My lab identified presynaptic function as one of the likely loci of this vulnerability and has leveraged the sensitivity of synaptic vesicle recycling to metabolic compromise to dissect the molecular underpinnings of how local ATP production is balanced during electrical activity in axons. Our work has helped identify critical control points that in turn appear central to neurodegenerative diseases and offer new therapeutic approaches to neurodegeneration.

BiRC Seminar: Hypthesis-driven annotation and analysis of genomic assemblies

Ellen Bernadette Noer — Wed, 13 May 2026 14:00:00 +0200

Victor Quesada, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oviedo

Kvalifikationseksamen: Emil Alsholm Hundebøll

Viktor Hauge Ladegaard — Fri, 22 May 2026 13:00:00 +0200

External examiner: Associate Professor Eva Krummer, Biotech Research and Inoovation Center, University of Copenhagen

Internal examiner: Associate Professor Fiona Müllner, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University

Examiner / Main supervisor: Professor Esben Lorentzen, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University

Examiner / Co-supervisor: Assistant Professor Rasmus Kock Flygaard, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University

MBG's Årsmøde 2026

Viktor Hauge Ladegaard — Fri, 29 May 2026 08:00:00 +0200

Dagsarrangement i Aula og festmiddag fra kl 18-00. Programmet komme senere.

MBGBiRC PhD Conference 2026

Viktor Hauge Ladegaard — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 08:00:00 +0200

We are happy to let you know that the next MBGBiRC PhD Conference will be held at Sandbjerg Estate. More information will follow as we get closer, but please mark the dates already. We look forward to another great conference with exciting science and good company!